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Our Mission for 2022
Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Psalm 96:2-3
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from March 2 to 9.
NB Government Covid Protocol Changes
Thank You from Our Friends at 12 Neighbours
Youth Events for This Week
Ukraine
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program Returns
Adult Bible Studies Available to You
World Day of Prayer – Theme Update
Bereavement
Sunday Morning, March 6
Cooking with Anna Marie on Zoom
This Week @ BSBC
1. NB Government COVID-19 Mandate Changes & BSBC
Dear Church Family,
I’m sure you are aware of the changes to COVID-19 mandates that were announced by the provincial government. In short, as of now, the requirement for proof of vaccination has been retracted. And, as of Monday, March 14, the Mandatory Order will be lifted, meaning that there will no longer be legally binding requirements for masks, distancing, limited seating or limited numbers at gatherings.
On Monday evening, Feb. 28, your deacons and pastors met to prayerfully consider BSBC’s response to these changes. Throughout the pandemic our decisions were guided by the directives of Public Health. And so, we agreed that we would continue that pattern, embracing the directives of the government.
Therefore, as of Tuesday, March 1, we have discontinued screening for proof of vaccination for all church activities. We recognize that months ago, when we polled the congregation as to vaccination status, we learned that well over 90% of those in attendance on that Sunday were vaccinated.
However, there is one exception, we require all workers in our Children’s Ministries to be fully vaccinated, for the immediate future. We expect that parents of infants through to grade 5 will find comfort in knowing that their children’s caregivers are vaccinated. This will continue to be the policy until the deacons deem it appropriate to retract it. Notice of such a change will be given prior to the change.
Further, as of March 14, we will no longer REQUIRE any Covid measures for participation in any church activity. YET, in keeping with Public Health guidelines:
Masking, distancing and sanitizing hands remain good preventative measures.
Everyone should feel free to continue to mask — it is your choice. I would go so far as to ask you to consider continuing to mask for a few weeks as a means of supporting those who find these changes a challenge.
Parents should instruct their children/youth and children’s/youth ministry leaders if they wish their child to continue to mask in ministry gatherings.
In both the sanctuary and gym, we will continue to provide the option of distanced seating for those who find this helpful.
Please consider sanitizing your hands when you enter the building — a good practice anytime.
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we encourage you to consider your personal vulnerabilities when deciding on in-person participation. Our hearts’ desire is that we all come together again — and to that end, we’ll be thrilled to see you in-person. However, be prayerfully wise. Online services are with us to stay. But when you can come back, please do so.
From a spiritual perspective, Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us that gathering with our brothers and sisters is one way we “stir up” our faith.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
We anticipate that such changes will be exciting for some and, perhaps, fearful for others. Let’s prayerfully support each other as we move forward into 2022.
Pastor Greg
2. Thank You From Our Friends at 12 Neighbours
What a privilege was mine to inform 12 Neighbours founder, Marcel Lebrun, and Director of Community, Pastor Steve Patterson that they could soon expect delivery of a cheque from BSBC for $15K directed toward funding the position of Director of Community. In addition, that BSBC had decided to include $7K in our 2023 budget, also in support of this position.
I received the following replies from Marcel and Steve and I’m happy to share them with you now.
Pastor Greg
3. This Week's Youth Events
Thank you to all the youth that served at last Sunday’s Greenhouse (Youth) Service! Coming up this week and next week at BSBC Youth we have quite a few things!
Tonight, we will continue to work through the book of Jonah at Youth Bible study, youth are invited to come out to the Family Room from 6:30-8:00 pm! All are welcome!
Friday at youth group we have full church games from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring a friend, a water bottle, and indoor shoes to be used at the church.
Next week during the March Break, we have extra events:
Wednesday, March 9 | 6:30 to 8 p.m. is Bible study
Thursday, March 10 | 7 to 8 p.m. is Sports Drop-in night in the Gym
Friday, March 11 | 7 to 9 p.m. is Nerf Night youth group!
Please reach out to Pastor Nikki (nikki@bsbc.nb.ca) if you have any questions or would like further information.
Please continue to pray for our young people. If you or your family have specific prayer requests please email Pastor Nikki, she would love to be praying for you!
4. Ukraine
I’m sure that you are up to date on the news coming out of Ukraine. As a church family, we continue to pray for Sergiy Polyachenko's parents and brother’s family as well as his wife Julia's mother and the family members of Roz Thompson who all live in Ukraine. Please don’t forget to pray for believers in Ukraine and it’s surrounding countries. The Church in this area is suffering and we can stand with them.
It may feel that you wish you could do more
Let me share with you the latest posts from our national office, Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM):
On February 24th, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to invade Ukraine. This has been widely condemned by the international community as an illegal invasion of a sovereign nation. As part of the Baptist Forum for Aid and Development (BFAD), CBM is immediately releasing funds to support the response of the European Baptist Federation (EBF) and the Ukrainian Baptists. CBM is receiving your financial support and is actively engaged through our partnerships to respond. We are closely monitoring the escalating and fluid situation and will update this page with further details as they become available.
The refugee migration is huge, with 6-7 km lines of people heading towards the Polish border. Both the Polish and Hungarian borders are currently open for Ukrainians to leave, and for goods to go enter Ukraine. The situation on the ground is rapidly evolving, but our implementing partner, the All-Ukrainian of Associations of Evangelical Christian-Baptists has robust plans in place to respond and a lot of capacity to care for internally displaced persons. Polish and Hungarian Baptists are already organized to house refugees and bring goods into Ukraine.
We continue to speak with our partners who have been providing aid and shelter. One Ukrainian pastor, Pastor Igor, thanked all those praying for peace, adding: “Almost from the very beginning we have received prayers and support during this terrible time.”
To enable CBM to do more with our Ukrainian partners, you can donate here.
You may also consider
I think we all understand that as the old maxim goes, “every penny counts.”
Thank you for considering helping in this way.
Pastor Greg
5. Community Volunteer Income Tax Ministry
The time to file 2021 taxes is almost upon us. The Canada Revenue Agency has again invited BSBC to be part of the "Community Volunteer Income Tax Program" to prepare income tax returns free of charge for seniors, students, and other low-income individuals.
6. Adult Bible Studies Available to You
Noon Time Online Bible Study with Daniel Savard
“Walking with Jesus,” a study with Daniel Savard in partnership with Morning Gate Church. Daniel will be leading this study starting on Wednesday, March 9 at noon (65 minutes) on Zoom.
Here’s the intel: In this 8-part journey through the land of Israel, you’ll join Southeast Christian Church Associate Pastor Matt Reagan in visiting many of the places where Jesus lived, walked, and ministered with His disciples. As the land of the Bible comes alive before your eyes, you’ll gain fresh perspective on the life-changing power of Christ’s love and His church’s calling to make disciples who follow after Him.
For more information feel free to contact Daniel Savard at timberwolfe57@live.ca .
To register for this study, please click the link, provide your information and then hit the send button. You will be contacted with the details for online engagement.
Tuesday Night Online Bible Study with Pastor Greg
Are you ready for Easter? Looking forward to it? Expecting spiritual renewal? Regardless of your answer, you’re invited to join me (Pastor Greg), online, four Tuesday evenings in March at 6:30 p.m. for “Why Easter Matters” by Andy Stanley. This is the companion study to the “Who Needs Christmas” study that was offered in Advent 2021.
Here’s the overview of the Easter edition:
Have you ever been at odds with God? Have you resisted, defied, or tried to bargain your way out of what you thought God wanted? You aren’t alone. Scripture documents similar stories.
In this Easter Study Andy Stanley looks at some of the people whose lives intersected with Jesus in the weeks leading to his crucifixion. Each of them had an agenda that put them at odds with God and Jesus. As you’ll see, there’s a little bit of them in all of us.
Sessions titles: (1) The High Cost of Following Christ, (2) The Risk of Surrendering to God, (3) The God Who Can Be Trusted and (4) The Foundation of Our Faith.
The study begins Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m. Please register below so that the study guide can be provided for you prior to the start date.
I look forward to sharing this journey with all who, like me, seek the power of Holy Week in your life.
Pastor Greg
Wednesday Night Bible Study with Pastor Ross
Very rarely in the Bible does God command someone to “stay.” He opens a door, and then he invites us to walk through it—into the unknown. And how we choose to respond will ultimately determine the lives we will lead and the people we will become.
Pastor Ross is leading All The Places To Go, a six-session video study by bestselling author John Ortberg to open our eyes to the countless open doors God places before us every day, teach us how to recognize them, and give us the encouragement to step out in faith and embrace all of the extraordinary opportunities that await.
Join Pastor Ross Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Family Life Centre — starting March 16. Sign up using the link below.
7. World Day of Prayer
The World Day of Prayer Service Video, prepared by the Women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and produced by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada can be watched online at wicc.org or below. The World Day of Prayer is March 4, 2022.
A Children's program is also available at https://wicc.org/kids-pray-too-world-day-of-prayer-2022.
TV Broadcast of the World Day of Prayer will be available to watch in Fredericton and most of New Brunswick on Friday March 4, 2022 at 9 a.m., 5 p.m. and 10:05 p.m. on Bell Fiber TV channel 26 and Bell TV satellite channel 539. The link for this is: https://wicc.org/get-involved/events/
For more information contact Debbie Heustis 472-2916 or Rose Carolyn Smith 459-0073.
8. Bereavement
Please continue to remember Randy and Beth Fox in prayer on the passing on Sunday, February 20, of Randy’s dad, Merlin. The funeral service was held on Friday, Feb. 25.
He served in the Medical Corps of the Canadian Armed Forces for 28 ½ years and then sold Real Estate for 9 years. He loved playing the guitar, fiddle, and singing with his wife Shirley. After retirement he and Shirley volunteered, singing country and gospel music in nursing homes, churches, and other venues. They also sang with his brother Bob and his wife Elissa, being called the singing Fox’s. He especially loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and would say they are all smart, good-looking, and musical and that they all took after him. "Opa" was greatly loved by them all and will be missed very much.
In addition to Randy and Beth, Merlin is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley, another son, Shane and 6 beloved grandchildren: Meghan Fox, Keltie Magnus (Steven), Hillary Fox, Connor Fox, and Chloe Fox; two step-grandchildren, Colton Gough and Jaxson Pollock; two great-grandchildren, Everly and Alina Magnus, and many nieces and nephews.
Queen Elizabeth is quoted as saying, “Grief is the price we pray for love.” Please pray for the comfort of the Fox family in their grief.
9. Cooking Together with Anna Marie
Anna Marie Colpitts welcomes you to join her in the kitchen tomorrow Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. to make supper together. Then join us on this Zoom link for some fun! Get the recipe and grocery list.
Meeting ID: 875 4144 6372 | Passcode: 001910
Next week's recipe
Anna Marie will be cooking with us again next week too! If you're a planner and want to get your ingredients ahead of time, you can find next week's recipe here.
10. Sunday Morning: March 6
Again this coming Sunday, you have a choice! You can attend in-person or online. The contemporary service will be available in the gym in a return to our café setting or on Facebook Live. The traditional service will be available in the sanctuary or join on YouTube.
Attending on-line? Simply visit thestreetonline.ca and click “Worship Online” and then choose your service. One way or another, we do hope you’ll be with us.
This Sunday morning we’ll gather at the Lord’s Table AND we’ll have focused prayer considering three areas: The COVID-19 Situation, Canadian Government Leaders, and People Living Through War Around the World.
Dr. Keith will offer a scriptural devotional in both services. He writes: What does the world need from us, as believers in the risen Lord Jesus, during times of upheaval and uncertainty? In such seasons, Jesus encourages us to pray and not lose heart! This morning we will share thoughts on the power of prayer in our times.
In the gym, we’re grateful for the musical leadership of Greg and Rebecca Keezer. In the sanctuary, we look forward to the ministry of a vocal ensemble, soloist Margaret Geldart and keyboard ministry of Gloria Tranquilla and David Steeves.
Online or in person, we hope you’ll take time to connect with us this week!
11. This Week at BSBC: March 2 to 9
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre.
Wednesday, March 2
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
6:00 Ensemble Rehearsal (Sanctuary, Choir Room)
6:30 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (CM) (Zoom)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, FLC And Zoom)
Thursday, March 3
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
9:30 New Life (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (CB) (Family Room, FLC)
1:30 Small Group Bible Study (MM) (3rd Floor Conference Room, FLC)
5:30 Cooking Together (Zoom)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, March 4
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Zoom)
7:00 Youth Group Full Church Games (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Saturday, March 5
9:00 Gym Set-Up
1:00 Worship Team (Gym)
3:30 Sports Friends Ministry (Odell Park)
Sunday, March 6
6:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
9:00 Asian Sunday School Class (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
10:15 Preschool/KidzTown (1st Floor & 2nd Floor, FLC)
10:30 Contemporary Worship Service (Gym)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
10:30 Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)
Monday, March 7
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
7:00 Social Action Team (Zoom)
Tuesday, March 8
10:00 Library opens
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
1:00 CVITP - Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (Gym)
1:00 Pastoral Staff (Family Room)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
2:15 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room)
6:30 DivorceCare (Family Room, FLC)
6:30 Bible Study “Why Easter Matters” (GG) (Zoom)
7:00 Fresh Start (Gym/3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Wednesday, March 9
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Bible Study “Walking With Jesus” (DS) (Zoom)
6:00 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (CM) (Zoom)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, FLC And Zoom)
